As technology continues to permeate various aspects of our lives, from smart devices to complex software systems, there is a growing demand for coders and tech-savvy professionals.

Recognizing the need to cultivate these skills early on, the Software Institute and the Computer Science Club at LAU’s School of Arts and Sciences organized a full-day event on May 2 to introduce grades 11 and 12 high-school students to coding and give them a glimpse of opportunities in computer science.

With the help of the President of the Computer Science Club at LAU Mohamad El Souki, the event, titled Learn, Code, and Compete, featured two comprehensive sessions on the basics of coding through workshops composed of live demonstrations, practical activities and implementations, to help students of varying coding experience levels grasp complex concepts.

“This event aligns with the institute’s mission to ignite a passion for computer science and encourage future career opportunities in the software industry,” said Assistant Professor and Director of the Software Institute Nadine Abbas. “We seek to enhance students’ academic skills and professional abilities through activities focused on logical thinking and problem-solving.”

The sessions covered Python programming language, data types, basic operations and control flow mechanisms—the order in which the instructions of a computer program are executed. Each session was designed to treat basic concepts and ensure students had a solid base before progressing to more complex topics.

“I began by introducing a concept or outlining the problem requirements, then helped students identify the challenges by asking questions that stimulated their thinking about the problem and possible solutions,” Dr. Abbas explained. “This approach allowed them to share their ideas and learn from each other as they discussed their answers.”

The gradual increase in difficulty helped the participants build their skills progressively and understand fundamental concepts through real-time applications and interactive engagement.

In addition to skill-building, the participants had the opportunity to compete for scholarships at the end of the event with the assistance of Computer Science graduate and Software Consultant at Murex Ahmad Houmani (BS ’23).

“This early engagement is crucial for younger generations to connect and grow in the field,” he said. “That’s one of my biggest takeaways from LAU; it’s the constant support that helped me build who I am today and achieve my goals.”

Scholarships, applicable to potential majors in computer science, mathematics, and bioinformatics at LAU, were awarded to top performers, with first place going to 11th-grader Elie Aoun receiving 20 percent, second place to 12th-grader Shadi El Ballouz receiving 15 percent, and third place to 11th-grader Jimy Matar receiving 10 percent.

The event showcased the institute’s dedication to providing superb academic learning, said Dr. Abbas. By encouraging high-school students to explore their fields of interest, it played a vital role in preparing them for successful futures.